Knights Fall to Bisons 12-7 Saturday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- The Buffalo Bisons scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn a comeback win over the Charlotte Knights on Saturday by a score of 12-7. The Knights led the Bisons 6-5 heading into the ninth inning, but the Bisons charged back to take game two.

RHP Zack Burdi (0-3, 4.34) started the ninth inning with a chance for his sixth save of the season. The 22-year-old, however, quickly got into a jam. He gave up a leadoff triple to Roemon Fields and then Jake Elmore followed with a game-tying RBI single. Three batters later, Rowdy Tellez connected on a two-run single to push the Bisons ahead by a score of 8-6. Burdi was replaced by LHP Matt Purke, but the Bisons continued to score runs.

In all, Burdi was charged with five runs on three hits and two walks in the top of the ninth inning. Burdi, who entered the game with a 0.90 ERA in the month of May, failed to record an out in the inning and was saddled with the loss. Purke was charged with two runs on one hit and one walk.  

The seven-run inning spoiled a solid effort from Charlotte's offense. Danny Hayes launched his second grand slam of the season and Cody Asche followed with a go-ahead solo home run in a five-run fifth inning for Charlotte. Hayes leads the Knights with 10 home runs on the season. Asche, who finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored, was a triple short of the cycle. Yoán Moncada, the top prospect in baseball, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a triple.

RHP Chris Volstad got the start for the Knights and allowed five runs on 11 hits over six innings of work. He left with the lead, but had to settle for a no-decision on Saturday. The 30-year-old hurler was followed by RHP Brad Goldberg, who gave up just two hits over two scoreless innings.

A total of 10,214 fans attended Charlotte's game on Saturday for the team's ninth regular season sell-out crowd of the 2017 season. The Knights will continue their four-game series on Sunday and host the Bisons in game three at 7:05 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. RHP Carson Fulmer will get the start for the Knights.

Before the game, the Knights will induct their owner, Don Beaver, into the Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor. Pre-game radio coverage of Sunday's game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN Charlotte (730 AM) and CharlotteKnights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action. The game will also be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Jack McDowell, the 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner, will join the TV broadcast booth for the game.